I got a press release a few days ago about the formation of the San Casciano Classico Association.  It was created to promote the wineries in the  area of San Casciano in Val di Pesa, in the Chianti Classico production. It got my attention because I always loved that area near Florence. There were many amazing restaurants as I recall and the olive oil was famous as well for being some of the highest quality in Italy and that is saying something.

There are many smaller associations and people always wonder if it makes it more or less confusing for consumers. I am not sure there is one right answer but I understand the desire to create separate groups to promote specific areas based on soils and climate.

Some 25 estates signed the articles of association last week although the project has been in the works for some time..

According to the press release, “The new Association’s board of directors consists of: Chairman Antonio Nunzi Conti (Tenuta Villa Barberino – Famiglia Nunzi Conti), Vice-chairman Niccolò Montecchi (Az. Agr. Villa del Cigliano), Treasurer Maddalena Fucile (Az. Agr. Fattoria Cigliano di Sopra) and board members Duccio Corsini (Az. Agr Villa Le Corti) and Alessandro Palombo (Az. Agr Fattoria di Luiano).”

In addition to events that they are planning, the idea is to “carry out in-depth research into the pedological and climatic features of the San Casciano area and their relationship with the wines produced.”

Here is a full list of the founding members:

• AZ. AGR. MORI CONCETTA DI BECCATTELLI MASSIMO
• TENUTA VILLA BARBERINO DELLA FAMIGLIA NUNZI CONTI
• SOCIETA’ AGRICOLA BRUSCOLA
• BERINGER BLASS ITALIA – CASTELLO DI GABBIANO
• CONTE GUICCIARDINI DI FERDINANDO GUICCIARDINI
• SOCIETA’ AGRICOLA FATTORIA DI LUIANO DI ANTONIO PALUMBO E C.
• FATTORIA POGGIOPIANO DI BARTOLI STEFANO
• FATTORIA VALLACCHIO DI CAINI ALBERTA
• IL TORRIANO DI FRANCECO ROSSI FERRINI
• LE CORTI SPA
• SOCIETA’ AGRICOLA IL PALAGIO WINE ESTATE
• AZ. AGR. CIGLIANO DI SOPRA
• AZ. AGR. PODERE LA VILLA DI TACHIS ILARIA
• SOCIETA’ AGRICOLA VILLA S. ANDREA
• AZ. AGR. SOLATIONE
• TERRE DI PERSETO AZ. AGR. DI MARTELLI NICCOLO’
• VILLA DEL CIGLIANO DI ANNA BERNABEI MONTECCHI
• BERNABEI NICCOLO’
• FATTORIA SAN MICHELE A TORRI
• AZ. AGR. DI MONTEPALDI
• AZ. AGR. POGGIO BORGONI DI PAOLO SALVINI
• CARUS VINI SOCIETA’ AGRICOLA
• ANTINORI SOCIETA’ AGRICOLA
• POGGIO TORSELLI SOCIETA’ AGRICOLA
• VILLA MANGIACANE